State police are working to identify the skeletal remains of a female discovered Sunday in a wooded area near Oxoboxo Lake in the Oakdale section of Montville.

State police major crime detectives spent Monday at the scene, calling in aid from State Archaeologist Nicholas Bellantoni and a representative from the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Officials estimated the body had been there about a year and is female, though further forensic examination is needed to better pinpoint the age, state police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance said. How the body got there is unknown.

“We’re treating it as a crime scene until we know otherwise,” Vance said.

Oxoboxo Dam Road was closed at both ends and will remain closed through Wednesday as the investigation and processing of the scene continues.

Oakdale resident Gina Lamperelli was taking her afternoon walk when she came across the police blockade at the intersection of William Road.

“It’s pretty scary. I don’t know what to think,” Lamperelli said.

Partially buried

Police say the bones were discovered by children shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday. The remains were partially buried but near the surface, police said. The entire area was secured overnight until detectives returned during daylight hours on Monday.

At some point, Vance said, the remains will be brought to the medical examiner’s office, where a post-mortem examination will be conducted. As part of the investigation, Vance sai,d police will be looking at any missing persons.

“It’s shocking,” said Annie Fotiadis, owner of nearby Oakdale Pizza. “You don’t expect something like that in a little town like this. It’s awful.”

Montville Town Historian Jon Chase said he was keeping up on the latest news to find out if the remains may have come from a Colonial-era or American Indian burial site. Neither is uncommon in Eastern Connecticut.

“If it was part of a group, or older, it would be a pretty significant discovery at that location,” Chase said. “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Bellantoni, who drove away from the scene Monday evening, declined to comment.